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Mint Leaf Indian Cuisine, located at 2350 Spring Rd Ste 800 in Smyrna, received a score of 59 points out of a possible 100 points during their 08/27/2025 inspection by the Georgia Department of Public Health.
The violations noted by the inspector were:
Violation #1:
4-1A – food separated and protected
511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) – packaged & unpackaged food separation, packaging, and segregation (p, c)
Points: 9
Corrected during inspection?: Yes
Repeat: No
Inspector Notes: Observed two boxes of raw eggs stored above a tray of cooked basmati rice. Observed one tray of raw chicken resting on top of a tray of cooked tikka masala chicken. C/A Food shall be protected from cross contamination by: (i) Except as specified in paragraph (i)(IV) of this subsection, separating raw animal foods during storage, preparation, holding, and display from: (I) Raw ready-to-eat food including other raw animal food such as fish for sushi or molluscan shellfish, or other raw ready-to-eat food such as fruits and vegetables, P and (II) Cooked ready-to-eat food; and P (III) Fruits and vegetables before they are washed; P (IV) Frozen, commercially processed and packaged raw animal food may be stored or displayed with or above frozen, commercially processed and packaged, ready-to-eat food. (ii) Except when combined as ingredients, separating types of raw animal foods from each other such as beef, fish, lamb, pork, and poultry during storage, preparation, holding, and display by: (I) Using separate equipment for each type, P or (II) Arranging each type of food in equipment so that cross contamination of one type with another is prevented, P and (III) Preparing each type of food at different times or in separate areas; P (iii) Cleaning and sanitizing equipment and utensils; COS Cooked Chicken and basmati rice were both discarded
Violation #2:
4-2A – food stored covered
511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(iv) – packaged & unpackaged food, food stored covered(c)
Points: 4
Corrected during inspection?: Yes
Repeat: No
Inspector Notes: Observed numerous foods that were stored at the bottom of the prep coolers that were uncovered. Ex curry sauce, spinach bowl, boiled okra, string beans raw tilapia fillet, raw shrimp_) C/A Except as specified under paragraph 2. of this subsection and when cooling as specified in DPH Rule 511-6-1-.04(6)(e)2.(ii), storing the food in packages, covered containers, or wrappings, except for loosely covered or uncovered containers in which food is being cooled if protected from overhead contamination; COS: ALL CONTAINERS THAT WERE NOT COOLING WERE THROUGHLY COVERED
Violation #3:
6-1A – proper cold holding temperatures
511-6-1.04(6)(f) – time/temperature control for safety; cold holding (p)
Points: 9
Corrected during inspection?: Yes
Repeat: No
Inspector Notes: Observed numerous items stored the main kitchen at the prep top area and in the WIC that were holding above 41*F. Food items are marked with an asterik C/A Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot and Cold Holding. Except during preparation, cooking, or cooling, or when time is used as the public health control, time/temperature control for safety food shall be maintained at 41°F (5°C) or below or 135°F (57°C) or above, except that roasts cooked to a temperature and for a time specified in subsection (5)(a)2 of this Rule and reheated using the same temperature and time conditions as cooking may be held at a temperature of 130°F (54°C) or above. P COS: items were discarded
Violation #4:
6-1B – proper hot holding temperatures
511-6-1.04(6)(f) – time/temperature control for safety; hot holding (p)
Points: 9
Corrected during inspection?: Yes
Repeat: No
Inspector Notes: Observed cooked basmati rice that was in the main kitchen that was holding below 135*F C/A Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot and Cold Holding. Except during preparation, cooking, or cooling, or when time is used as the public health control, time/temperature control for safety food shall be maintained at 41°F (5°C) or below or 135°F (57°C) or above, except that roasts cooked to a temperature and for a time specified in subsection (5)(a)2 of this Rule and reheated using the same temperature and time conditions as cooking may be held at a temperature of 130°F (54°C) or above. P COS: Facility was instructed to re-heat the rice
Violation #5:
6-1C – proper cooling time and temperature
511-6-1.04(6)(d) – cooling (p)
Points: 9
Corrected during inspection?: Yes
Repeat: No
Inspector Notes: Observed one large tray of cooked Tikka chicken resting in the sink. @ 3:09 pm the temperature of the chicken was 93*F. PIC stated the chicken was cooling and that it was cooked at 1:30pm. At 3:45pm when tested again the chicken went up to 99*F. C/A Cooked time/temperature control for safety food shall be cooled: (i) Within 2 hours from 135°F (57°C) to 70°F (21°C); P and (ii) Within a total of 6 hours from 135°F (57°C) to 41°F (5°C) or less. P 2. Time/temperature control for safety food shall be cooled within 4 hours to 41°F (5°C) or less if prepared from ingredients at ambient temperature, such as reconstituted foods and canned tuna. P 3. Except as specified under paragraph 4 of this subsection, a time/temperature control for safety food received in compliance with laws allowing a temperature above 41°F (5°C) during shipment from the supplier shall be cooled within 4 hours to 41°F (5°C). P 4. Raw eggs shall be received and immediately placed in refrigerated equipment that maintains an ambient air temperature of 41°F (5°C) or less. P COS Chicken was discarded
Violation #6:
6-2 – proper date marking and disposition
511-6-1.04(6)(g) – ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food, date marking (pf)
Points: 4
Corrected during inspection?: Yes
Repeat: No
Inspector Notes: Observed many of the cooked items that were cooked the day before without a proper discard date stored at the bottom of the prep top unit in the main kitchen Observed several cooked foods stored in the WIC that were cooked yesterday that were not dated with the prep or the discard date (cooked spinach, cooked green lentils, cooked yellow lentils, Rice Pudding) C/A Except when packaging food using a reduced oxygen packaging method, and except as specified in paragraphs 5 and 6 of this subsection, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared and held in a food establishment for more than 24 hours shall be clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded, when held at a temperature of 41°F (5°C) or below for a maximum of 7 days. The day of preparation shall be counted as Day 1. Pf COS FACILITY HAS 10 DAYS TO CORRECT THE VIOLATION
Violation #7:
8-2B – toxic substances properly identified, stored, used
511-6-1.07(6)(f) – poisonous or toxic materials containers, prohibition (p)
Points: 4
Corrected during inspection?: No
Repeat: No
Inspector Notes: Observed several buckets that has Palmolive or emerald green detergent that were used to store yogurt and margarine inside of them. C/A Poisonous or Toxic Materials Containers, Prohibition. A container previously used to store poisonous or toxic materials shall not be used to store, transport, or dispense food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service or single-use articles. P COS ALL BUCKETS WERE DISCARDED
Violation #8:
9-2 – compliance with variance, specialized process and haccp plan
511-6-1.04(6)(j) – variance requirement (pf)
Points: 4
Corrected during inspection?: No
Repeat: No
Inspector Notes: Observed facility is making their own yogurt on the premises without a variance or a HACCP plan C/A Incubator Food Service Operations. A permit holder or a permit applicant may seek a variance from the provisions in DPH Rule 511-6-1-.02(1)(a)4.in order to operate an incubator food service establishment only if, as an alternative to DPH Rule 511-6-1-.02(1)(a)4., the permit holder or permit applicant provides a written management plan along with the necessary supportive documentation that specifies standard operating procedures (SOP) in detail to the satisfaction of the Health Authority as to how active managerial control of risk-factors and public health interventions for foodborne illness along with maintenance of equipment and facilities will be maintained to the requirements of this Chapter. P Incubator food service operations shall comply with other requirements of this Chapter in addition to the requirements of one of the following business models: P (b) Business Model B. The permit holder must ensure the following: 1. Submit to the Health Authority for review and approval a written management plan that contains a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and supporting documents that adequately provides: managerial oversight of contractual employees activities, control of risk factors for foodborne illness, handwashing policies, employee health policies, the prevention of any potential cross-contamination of equipment and food resulting from multiuse of food service equipment and utensils, and the ability for the Health Authority to conduct trace back in the event of a foodborne illness involving the establishment. The written managerial plan or SOP must include the following minimum items: P COS: Facility has 10 days to correct the violation by submitting a variance request to EHS
Violation #9:
10D – food properly labeled; original container
511-6-1.04(7)(c) – food labels (pf, c)
Points: 3
Corrected during inspection?: No
Repeat: Yes
Inspector Notes: Observed various containers of salt, sugar, cooking oil bottle, yogurt, cumin, black pepper, Methi dried leaf, cream bottle and sauce bottle that were removed from their original container and place into another without any labeling in the main kitchen (cooking counter, pantry area, prep top area) C/A Food packaged in a food service establishment or removed from their original container, that is not provided by a foodservice employee upon consumer request, shall be labeled as specified in law, including 21 CFR 101- Food labeling, and 9 CFR 317 Labeling, marking devices, and containers. Label information shall include: (i) The common name of the food, or if there is no common name, an adequately descriptive identity statement; (ii) If made from two or more ingredients, a list of ingredients and sub-ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight, including a declaration of artificial color or flavors and chemical preservatives, if contained in the food; (iii) An accurate declaration of the net quantity of contents; (iv) The name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor; and (v) The name of the food source for each major food allergen contained in the food unless the food source is already part of the common or usual name of the respective ingredient. Pf Facility has 10 days to correct the violation
Violation #10:
14A – in-use utensils: properly stored
511-6-1.04(4)(k) – in-use utensils, between-use storage (c)
Points: 1
Corrected during inspection?: Yes
Repeat: No
Inspector Notes: Observed knives stored in a bottom shelf in the main kitchen stored in a bucket of water and the temperature of the water was 72*F Observed large spoons and forks that were stored on a container of water on the counter in the main kitchen and the temperature of the water was 79*F. C/A Incubator Food Service Operations. A permit holder or a permit applicant may seek a variance from the provisions in DPH Rule 511-6-1-.02(1)(a)4.in order to operate an incubator food service establishment only if, as an alternative to DPH Rule 511-6-1-.02(1)(a)4., the permit holder or permit applicant provides a written management plan along with the necessary supportive documentation that specifies standard operating procedures (SOP) in detail to the satisfaction of the Health Authority as to how active managerial control of risk-factors and public health interventions for foodborne illness along with maintenance of equipment and facilities will be maintained to the requirements of this Chapter. P Incubator food service operations shall comply with other requirements of this Chapter in addition to the requirements of one of the following business models: P (b) Business Model B. The permit holder must ensure the following: 1. Submit to the Health Authority for review and approval a written management plan that contains a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and supporting documents that adequately provides: managerial oversight of contractual employees activities, control of risk factors for foodborne illness, handwashing policies, employee health policies, the prevention of any potential cross-contamination of equipment and food resulting from multiuse of food service equipment and utensils, and the ability for the Health Authority to conduct trace back in the event of a foodborne illness involving the establishment. The written managerial plan or SOP must include the following minimum items: P CO: Utensils were placed in the dishwasher
Violation #11:
15C – nonfood-contact surfaces clean
511-6-1.05(7)(a)2,3 – equipment, food/nonfood-contact surfaces, and utensils, food-contact surfaces of cooking equipment & nonfood-contact surfaces free of accumulations (c)
Points: 1
Corrected during inspection?: Yes
Repeat: No
Inspector Notes: Observed gasket to the bottom prep top unit with mold like build-up. Observed shelves in the bottom prep top area with greasy residue on them. Observed the bottom of both cooler with some liquid spill inside of them . C/A The food-contact surfaces of cooking equipment and pans shall be kept free of encrusted grease deposits and other soil accumulations. 3. Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. COS: Facility has 10 days to correct the violation
Violation #12:
17C – physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
511-6-1.07(5)(a),(b) – good repair, physical facilities maintained; cleaning, frequency & restrictions, cleaned often enough to keep them clean (c)
Points: 1
Corrected during inspection?: No
Repeat: No
Inspector Notes: Observed facility has several loose quarry tiles in the WIC in front of the freezer that could potentially become a tripping hazard. C/A All tile on the floor need to be repaired COS Facility has 3 days to correct the violation and glue the tiles back on the floor
Additional remarks:
Facility had a delivery when EHS was on the premises. EHS took the temperatures of the meat that was dropped off. Temperatures were recorded under temp observations
Discussed:
Cardboard boxes on the floor to store trash
Sanitizer wipes should be kept in sanitizing bucket al all times
Ensure the door to the WIC and 2 Door Cooler is closing easily
Ensure hand sink is ONLY used for handwashing
In between uses utensils storage
Ensure Prep top cooler gaskets are not covered in debris
Frequency of cleaning the bottom of prep units as well as the hood above the stove
Frequency of cleaning the ice machine
Ensuring that the plastic bowls are tossed if damaged
Ensure that nothing is stacked wet in the kitchen
Do not use buckets that previously had chemicals inside to store food
Ensure staff know how to cool items properly
Ensure thermometers are stored in the warmest part of the fridge and every fridge needs to be equipped with one
Water interruption form was provides as well as the new rules
ANOTHER INSPECTION WILL BE PERFORMED WITHIN 10 DAYS
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